The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a new warning after several holidaymakers fell seriously ill or died at a popular tourist destination. The FCDO said that a number of fatalities have occurred in Turkey due to the consumption of illegally produced local spirits.

The advice, updated on Friday, states: “There has been an increase in the number of deaths and serious illnesses in Turkey, including in Ankara and Istanbul, caused by drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.”

Those currently in, or planning to visit, Turkey are urged to take precautions.

These include buying alcohol only from licensed outlets, ensuring bottle seals are unbroken, avoiding bottles with poor quality labels or incorrect spellings, and steering clear of homemade alcoholic drinks.

If you or someone you are with falls ill after consuming alcohol, you should seek urgent medical attention.

The Foreign Office also continues to remind UK passport holders that their passport must have at least 150 days remaining from the date of arrival, and at least one full blank page.

The guidance further adds: “If entering at a land border, make sure officials stamp and date your passport at the border crossing. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.

“Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”